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Tokyo: Stocks open down with BoJ policy decision in focus

[TOKYO] Tokyo stocks slumped at the open on Friday as the yen rose sharply and markets focused on whether or not the Bank of Japan will unleash a fresh round of stimulus to kickstart sluggish growth.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index fell 0.71 per cent, or 117.16 points, to open at 16,359.68, as investors brace for a volatile session with the BoJ due to wrap up its latest policy meeting later in the day.

The broader Topix index of all first-section shares fell 0.25 per cent, 3.31 points, to 1,303.69.